Purchase Solution

"One flew over the cuckoos nest" written by Ken Kesey

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Play write writen by Dale Wasserman based on the novel by Ken Kesey I need help with the dfollowing analytical question. Even if you cant get your hands on the play write knowledge of the novel will do.

Question" Discuss the character of Nurse Ratchet. What does she "represent"? What develops her character.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

The expert discusses the character of Nurse Ratchet. What she represents and her character development is provided.

Solution Preview

THE CHARACTER OF NURSE RATCHET
Nurse Ratchet is symbolic of this oppressive force that also represents modern day society. Even her nickname, "Big Nurse" says a lot regarding her persona for she appears to be like a juggernaut in the face of the patients. As a result of Nurse Ratchet's controlling manner, she causes the men to live in a state of fear and oppression within the ward hospital. For example, Chief Bromden is afraid to enter the "shaving room" for fear of having to encounter Nurse Ratchet and her mean mentality.
In literary terms, Nurse Ratchet is a flat character, which means she encounters no changes whatsoever throughout the book. She begins as a scheming, manipulative agent of the Combine and remains so at the novel's conclusion. Her depiction resembles the villains of comic books and one-reel film serials in that she asserts arbitrary control simply because she can.
Much of Ratchet's character is evident in her name. McMurphy pronounces it "Rat-shed" during an early section of the novel, indicating that she possesses rodent-like qualities of working quietly, quickly, and to the disadvantage of her victims. The reader is reminded that rats were the carriers of the Black Plague during the Middle Ages, and Ratchet infects the hospital's orderlies, student nurses, public relations personnel, and patients with her irrational desire for order.
WHAT DOES NURSE RATCHET REPRESENT?
The name Ratchet is also a pun of "ratchet," which is a both a verb and a noun for a ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Just Walk on By - Essay by Brent Staples

Students will gain a better understanding of Just Walk on By-- an essay written by Brent Staples.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer Quiz 1 (Prologue & Introduction Content with Chapter 1 Vocabulary)

The following questions are taken from the prologue and introduction of the novel, Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. Read each question carefully and choose the correct answer.

Chapters 1 and 2 - Current Issues and Enduring Questions

This quiz addresses the main themes present in a handful of the essays (specifically including "He Saves All His Critical Thinking for My Behavior", "The Florida Case", "Driver’s Licenses and Dropouts", "Military Women in Combat: Why Making It Official Matters", "A First Amendment Junkie", "Executions Should Be Televised", and "Why the Pledge of Allegiance Should be Revised") that are frequently assigned to English 102 students.

Introduction to Homophones

Strong writing skills are important in the educational and professional worlds. One common mistake made by some people is the lack of understanding homophones. This quiz gives a brief introduction of the definition with some examples.

Danticat Quiz

This quiz will help students learn important vocabulary from Danticat's The Dew Breaker.